Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Responsibility
2011 Progress Report
Supplier Responsibility 2
2011 Progress Report
Contents
Page 23 Appendix
Supplier Responsibility 3
2011 Progress Report
Driving Change
Apple is committed to driving the highest standards of social responsibility
throughout our supply base. We require that our suppliers provide safe working
conditions, treat workers with dignity and respect, and use environmentally
responsible manufacturing processes wherever Apple products are made.
Suppliers commit to the Apple Supplier Code of Conduct as a condition of
doing business with us. Drawing on internationally recognized standards, our
Code outlines expectations covering labor and human rights, health and safety,
the environment, ethics, and management commitment. Apple monitors
compliance with the Code through a rigorous program of onsite factory
audits, followed by corrective action plans and verication measures.
Apple’s approach to supplier responsibility extends beyond our audit program.
We empower workers through training, educate factory management, address
underlying issues with nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and industry
groups, and hold suppliers accountable for their practices. By making social
responsibility fundamental to the way we do business, we ensure our suppliers
take Apple’s Code as seriously as we do.
Labor and Human Rights Health and Safety Environmental Impact Ethics
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Management Commitment
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Supplier Responsibility 4
2011 Progress Report
Empowering Workers
Candidates for the associate degree program take their qualifying examinations.
Supplier Responsibility 7
2011 Progress Report
Protecting Foreign
Contract Workers
Following a 2008 audit discovery that involved immigrant workers, Apple took
independent action to address unethical hiring practices. We had learned
of a complex recruitment process in which some foreign contract workers
were paying fees in excess of applicable legal limits. Since then, Apple has
enforced a groundbreaking standard for recruiting foreign workers, resulting
in reimbursements of more than $3.4 million in overcharges—thousands of
dollars per worker in some cases. To prevent future abuses, we engaged with
government agencies, NGOs, and peer companies in Southeast Asia to educate
our suppliers on how to improve their recruiting practices, as well as on their
legal and ethical obligations to foreign workers.
“Apple is putting its signicant Apple audits are supported by our stringent standard for Prevention
business clout behind an initiative that of Involuntary Labor, which species contract requirements, grievance
is changing relationships between processes, agency management, the handling of workers’ passports,
labor brokers and suppliers. We hope
and other management practices. In addition, we hold our suppliers
that more companies will adopt the
responsible for the recruitment practices of their labor agencies and
approaches that Apple has taken.”
the entire recruitment process.
— Dan Viederman, Executive Director,
Verité
Apple does not tolerate any instance of underage labor. Whether we discover
Underage Workers active workers or historical cases (workers had either left or had reached legal
60 Active Cases working age by the time of the audit), we classify these as core violations.
Apple demands immediate corrective actions, including returning the under-
age workers to school, nancing their education, and improving management
practices to prevent future occurrences.
Requiring Conict-Free
Sourcing of Extractives
What is a “conict mineral”? Apple’s commitment to social responsibility extends to the source of raw
The mining of columbite-tantalite, materials used in the manufacturing of our products. We require our suppliers
cassiterite, wolframite, and gold— to use only metals that have been procured through a conict-free process and
which are rened into tantalum (Ta), from sources that adhere to our standards of human rights and environmental
tin (Sn), tungsten (W), and gold (Au), protection. The supply chains for “conict minerals” consist of many types
respectively—is believed to fuel
of businesses—family-run mines, brokers, smelters, reners, and commodity
political strife in the Democratic
exchanges—before reaching a component or subcomponent manufacturer.
Republic of Congo (DRC ) and
The combination of a lengthy supply chain and a rening process makes it
neighboring regions. The metals
derived from these “conict minerals” di"cult to track and trace these materials.
are used in small quantities in Apple is taking multiple steps to tackle this challenge. We started by mapping
electronics components found in our supply chain to the smelter level, so that we know which suppliers are
automotive, household, communica- using tantalum, tin, tungsten, or gold and where they are getting the metal.
tions, and computing devices, as well
Next, we are working at the forefront of a joint e!ort with the EICC and the
as in non-electronics industries.
Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) to audit smelters of these ores and
to validate conict-free sources. Audits of tantalum smelters began in 2010.
Upon completion, we will require suppliers to source only from smelters that
comply with EICC and Apple standards.
Monitoring Compliance
Audit Program
Apple’s supply base Apple continues to execute a rigorous monitoring program to ensure our
• Final assembly manufacturers assemble products are produced under socially and environmentally responsible
the Mac, iPad, iPod, and iPhone. conditions. Of the suppliers Apple audited in 2010, more than 40 percent
• Component suppliers manufacture stated that Apple was the rst company ever to have audited their facility
parts and components, such as LCDs, for social responsibility compliance.
hard drives, and printed circuit boards
from which nished Apple products are Audit site selections
assembled. Component suppliers also Each year, we audit more factories across our supply base. Apple audits all
manufacture Apple peripheral products, nal assembly manufacturers every year. We select other suppliers based on
such as Time Capsule, the LED Cinema risk factors—such as conditions in the country where a facility is located and
Display, and keyboards. the facility’s past audit performance—enabling us to focus our e!orts where
• Nonproduction suppliers, such as o"ce we can have the greatest impact. As of December 2010, Apple has audited
supply vendors and call centers, provide 288 facilities located in China, the Czech Republic, Malaysia, the Philippines,
products and services that are not part Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and the United States.
of the Apple manufacturing process.
Audited Facilities
First-Time Audits Repeat Audits
127
102
30
83 19 97
14 83
69
39
39
Audit process
An Apple supplier responsibility auditor leads every audit, supported by
local third-party auditors trained to use our detailed audit protocol and to
assess the requirements specied in our Code.
Supplier Responsibility 14
2011 Progress Report
Protection against retaliation Apple audits cross-reference data from multiple sources. We conduct
When workers are interviewed during interviews with employees, contract workers, and senior management
an audit, they receive a hotline card in relevant functional areas. We also conduct a physical inspection of
with a telephone number and a case manufacturing facilities and factory-managed dormitories and dining
number that identies the facility and
areas, as well as a review of records and relevant policies and procedures.
audit date. This mechanism enables
workers to provide additional infor-
mation after an audit and to report Auditors
any adverse consequences of their
participation in the audit.
Conduct audit
Apple’s goal is to drive each facility toward compliance with our Code,
as this provides the best path to positive change over the long term. We
perform a verication audit to conrm that actions have been executed,
and we collaborate with the supplier until issues are fully addressed.
However, if a facility’s actions do not meet our demands, Apple may
have no choice but to terminate the business relationship.
Supplier Responsibility 15
2011 Progress Report
Practices Management
Category Subcategory in Compliance Systems in Place
Labor and Human Rights 72% 65%
Antidiscrimination 69% 53%
Fair treatment 91% 75%
Prevention of involuntary labor 76% 72%
Prevention of underage labor 96% 83%
Juvenile worker protections 73% 62%
Working hours 32% 30%
Wages and benets 70% 65%
Freedom of association 99% 79%
Category and subcategory percentages represent the average across all facilities of the line items scored under that
category or subcategory. Category percentages are not averages of the subcategory percentages.
Supplier Responsibility 16
2011 Progress Report
Involuntary labor
For more information, see pages 7 and 8.
18 facilities We discovered foreign contract workers who had paid We required suppliers to reimburse any fees that exceeded
excessive recruitment fees to labor agencies. Apple’s limits. A total of $3.4 million has been repaid to
workers since 2008.
Underage labor
For more information, see pages 9 and 10.
9 facilities We discovered a total of 49 underage workers across the We required the suppliers to support the young workers’
9 facilities. return to school and to improve their management
systems—such as labor recruitment practices and
age-verification procedures—to prevent recurrences.
1 facility We discovered a total of 42 underage workers. We required the supplier to support the young workers’
return to school and to improve their management systems
We determined management had chosen to overlook the
to prevent recurrences.
issue and was not committed to addressing the problem.
Apple has terminated business with the facility.
Supplier Responsibility 17
2011 Progress Report
Worker endangerment
Finding Apple response
1 facility Workers suffered adverse health effects following exposure We required the facility to discontinue use of n-hexane, to fix
to n-hexane in poorly ventilated areas. the factory’s ventilation systems, and to implement improve-
ments to their management systems for Environmental Health
and Safety. For more information, see page 20.
1 facility Workers performed activities at heights greater than We required the facility to establish clear procedures and
3 meters without guardrails or safety harnesses. provide training for elevated work; to ensure elevated work
areas have appropriate guardrails; to provide workers with
safety harnesses, where required; and to review operations
regularly to ensure workers are following safety procedures.
2 facilities Presented falsified payroll records and provided misleading We required an independent audit to review payroll records
interview answers to Apple’s audit team. and to look for additional falsification. Investigation at one
facility revealed no actual violations. Investigation at the other
facility indicated underpayment of basic wages, underpayment
of overtime premium, and illegal benefit practices. We required
the facility to pay workers the appropriate amount and to
adjust benefits according to Apple’s Code and local law.
1 facility Presented falsified payroll records and provided misleading Apple has terminated business with the facility.
interview answers to Apple’s audit team.
Repeat core violation for falsification.
1 facility Concealed a production area from Apple’s audit team, We conducted a complete inspection of the concealed
preventing assessment of associated environmental health production area, which revealed poor health and safety
and safety risks. working conditions. We required them to fix all violations in
this area and to certify that all facilities used to manufacture
Apple products had been disclosed.
Bribery
Finding Apple response
1 facility A facility manager offered cash to Apple’s third-party auditors, Apple has terminated business with the facility.
asking them to reduce the number of audit findings.
Repeat core violation for ethics.
Coaching
Finding Apple response
1 facility A facility manager assembled workers and told them to We required the facility to provide accurate payroll records.
provide false wage payment information to Apple auditors. We also required them to train all facility management on the
prohibitions against providing false information in an audit.
We will return for a full reaudit in 2011.
Supplier Responsibility 18
2011 Progress Report
Responding to Suicides
at Foxconn
Like many of our customers and others around the world, we were disturbed
and deeply saddened to learn that factory workers were taking their own
lives at the Shenzhen facility of Foxconn.
Recognizing that we would need additional expertise to help prevent further
tragedies, we launched an international search for the most knowledgeable
suicide prevention specialists—particularly those with experience in China—
and asked them to advise Apple and Foxconn.
Two leading experts accompanied Apple COO Tim Cook and other Apple
executives on a visit to the Shenzhen factory in June 2010. This group met
with Foxconn CEO Terry Gou and members of his senior sta! to better
understand the conditions at the site and to assess the emergency measures
Foxconn was putting in place to prevent more suicides.
Apple then commissioned an independent review by a broader team of suicide
prevention experts. This team was asked to conduct a deeper investigation
into the suicides, evaluate Foxconn’s response, and recommend strategies for
supporting workers’ mental health in the future.
During July 2010, the independent team:
• Surveyed more than 1000 workers about their quality of life, sources of stress,
psychological health, and other work-related factors. The team designed the
questionnaire, delivered and collected it, and tabulated the results without
Foxconn’s involvement.
• Interviewed workers face to face, met separately with their managers, and
evaluated working and living conditions rsthand.
• Reviewed the facts of each suicide and the known circumstances behind them.
• Evaluated Foxconn’s management of the crisis, assessing the e!ectiveness
of counseling services and emergency response systems.
Supplier Responsibility 19
2011 Progress Report
In August 2010, the independent team presented its ndings and recommen-
dations to Terry Gou and senior executives from Foxconn and Apple. The team
commended Foxconn for taking quick action on several fronts simultaneously,
including hiring a large number of psychological counselors, establishing a
24-hour care center, and even attaching large nets to the factory buildings to
prevent impulsive suicides. The independent team also found that Foxconn
had worked openly with many outside experts and government o"cials in
reacting to the crisis. Most important, the investigation found that Foxconn’s
response had denitely saved lives.
The independent team suggested several areas for improvement, such
as better training of hotline sta! and care center counselors and better
monitoring to ensure e!ectiveness. Foxconn incorporated the team’s specic
recommendations into their long-term plans for addressing employee well-
being. The company is implementing an employee assistance program (EAP)
that focuses on maintaining employee mental health and expanding social
support networks. In addition, they have begun the process of expanding
operations to other parts of China, enabling workers to be closer to their
home provinces.
Apple will continue to work with Foxconn through the implementation of
these programs, and we plan to take key learnings from this engagement to
other facilities in our supply base.
Supplier Responsibility 20
2011 Progress Report
Investigating reports of violations For all chemicals in the workplace, Apple’s Code requires adequate
Apple investigates reports of alleged ventilation systems, proper handling and disposal, and robust processes
violations in our supply base, ranging for risk assessments, training, and emergency response.
from public reports by NGOs to infor-
mation submitted directly by factory In 2010, we learned that 137 workers at the Suzhou facility of Wintek, one
workers. Once we verify that the report of Apple’s suppliers, had su!ered adverse health e!ects following exposure
pertains to an Apple supplier facility, we to n-hexane, a chemical in cleaning agents used in some manufacturing
discuss the alleged violation with the processes. We discovered that the factory had recongured operations
supplier, review the facility’s past audits without also changing their ventilation system. Apple considered this series
and corrective actions, and conduct an of incidents to be a core violation for worker endangerment.
unannounced audit, if appropriate.
We required Wintek to stop using n-hexane and to provide evidence that
they had removed the chemical from their production lines. In addition,
Apple required them to x their ventilation system. Since these changes,
no new workers have su!ered di"culties from chemical exposure.
To prevent future incidents at this facility, we required Wintek to work with
a consultant to improve their Environmental Health and Safety processes
and management systems. We are monitoring the implementation of these
corrective actions and preventive measures, and will conduct a complete
reaudit of the facility in 2011.
In parallel, Apple has veried that all a!ected workers have been treated
successfully, and we continue to monitor their medical reports until full
recuperation. Following China law, Wintek has paid medical treatment, meals,
and foregone wages for sick or recuperating workers. A majority of the
137 workers have returned to employment at the same factory.
We are aware of another reported incident involving n-hexane. Apple
learned that a logo supplier and its subcontractor were using the chemical.
When we investigated, we found that the subcontractor had been shut
down by local o"cials. We audited the logo supplier and veried that
n-hexane was no longer in use. However, we found poor management
systems for Environmental Health and Safety, and we are working with the
facility to expedite corrections. We are also following up on the health of
workers who were exposed to n-hexane at this facility.
Supplier Responsibility 21
2011 Progress Report
Holding Suppliers
Accountable
Apple incorporates social responsibility For an ongoing view of social responsibility performance, Apple requires our
performance indicators in business nal assembly manufacturers to provide quarterly reports of Key Performance
review scorecards with all nal assembly Indicators (KPIs) for social responsibility, including statistics related to employee
manufacturers and suppliers of compo- overtime, training, injuries, living conditions, complaints, and turnover. KPIs
nents such as the following:
allow us to evaluate how a facility’s performance has changed over previous
• Batteries quarters, and we can compare their results with those of similar facilities.
• Board electrical components
Business reviews with suppliers cover commitment to Apple’s Code, past
• Cables and connectors
• Displays and current audit performance, closure of corrective action plans, leadership
• Fans activities, and KPIs for social responsibility. Any open issues are discussed
• Heat sinks and resolved between Apple and the supplier’s executive management.
• Hard drives Apple’s procurement decisions take into account a facility’s social responsibility
• Memory
performance, along with factors such as quality, cost, and timely delivery.
• Microphones
When social responsibility performance consistently fails to meet our
• Peripheral devices
expectations, we terminate business.
• Power systems
• Printed circuit boards By addressing what’s important to Apple and by holding suppliers accountable,
• Speakers we motivate our suppliers to improve their practices. In this way, Apple continues
• Trackpads to increase awareness of social responsibility and to drive improvements in
• Touchscreens working conditions more broadly across our supply base.
Supplier Responsibility 22
2011 Progress Report
Moving Forward
Appendix
Frequent ndings in subcategories where audits
revealed noncompliance across many facilities
Antidiscrimination
Apple’s Code protects against discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, disability, religion, political
affiliation, union membership, national origin, and marital status, and prohibits pregnancy tests or medical tests from discriminatory use.
41 facilities screened job candidates or current workers for hepatitis B, We classified these practices as discrimination—even where permissible
and 54 other facilities lacked policies and procedures that prohibit under local laws—and required facilities to discontinue the practice and
discrimination based on results of medical tests. to establish clear policies and procedures to prevent reoccurrence.
30 facilities conducted pregnancy tests, and 57 other facilities did not
have policies and procedures that prohibit discriminatory practices
based on pregnancy.
Working hours
Apple’s Code sets a maximum of 60 work hours per week and requires at least one day of rest per seven days of work, while allowing
exceptions in unusual or emergency circumstances.
76 facilities had records that indicated workers had exceeded weekly We required facilities to develop management systems or improve
working-hour limits more than 50 percent of the time. At 74 facilities, existing systems to drive compliance with Apple’s limits on work hours
more than half of the records we reviewed indicated that workers had and required days of rest.
worked more than six consecutive days at least once per month.
64 facilities had violations in engineering controls. For example, we We required facilities to equip all dangerous machines with adequate
found machines that were missing safety devices, such as gear guards safety devices and to conduct regular maintenance to prevent injuries.
or pulley guards.
95 facilities had violations in administrative controls. For example, We required facilities to establish a schedule for performing required
facilities did not conduct regular safety inspections, and workers who inspections and to ensure workers have appropriate training, licenses,
performed specialized tasks did not have legally required licenses or and certifications as required by law.
certifications.
54 facilities had workers who were not wearing appropriate personal We required facilities to provide the necessary PPE, to educate both
protective equipment (PPE), such as earplugs, safety glasses, and dust workers and supervisors on the risks of not wearing the equipment,
masks. In some instances, the facility had not provided the appropriate and to hold supervisors accountable for ensuring that workers use
safety equipment. In others, the workers neglected to use the the equipment properly.
equipment or were using it improperly.
Supplier Responsibility 24
2011 Progress Report
47 facilities did not have appropriate first-aid supplies for emergency We required facilities to provide properly supplied first-aid stations in
situations. For example, there were no eyewash stations in areas where all production areas.
chemicals were used or stored.
78 facilities did not have properly maintained fire detection and We required facilities to provide appropriate fire equipment, to ensure
suppression equipment. For example, access to some fire hydrants it remains in good condition, and to provide easy access in emergency
or fire extinguishers was blocked, and some fire extinguishers were situations.
placed on the ground.
81 facilities did not have adequate exit paths for emergency We required facilities to make improvements to their exits and to
situations. For example, we found narrow evacuation aisles or locked check them regularly to ensure fast and easy evacuation in the event
emergency exits. of an emergency.
Ergonomics
Apple’s Code requires facilities to assess which of its operations pose ergonomic risks to workers—even where not required by law—and to
implement risk reduction measures, such as redesigning workstations to facilitate better posture, providing magnifying glasses for close-up work,
and rotating workers among tasks to reduce repetitive motion.
36 facilities had not conducted ergonomic risk assessments. We required facilities to have a qualified professional determine which
manufacturing operations pose risks of repetitive motion and other
ergonomic injuries and to take steps to reduce the associated risks.
80 facilities were not storing or handling hazardous chemicals properly. We required facilities to establish chemical management procedures
For example, some facilities did not provide secondary containment for for proper handling and storage of hazardous substances.
hazardous chemicals or separate storage for incompatible chemicals.
41 facilities were not recycling or disposing of hazardous wastes We required facilities to correct their hazardous waste disposal
properly and as required by law. practices and to maintain documentation to demonstrate compliance
with Apple requirements and applicable laws.
37 facilities failed to monitor and control air emissions. For example, We required facilities to treat air emissions, to conduct regular
facilities did not inspect discharges regularly to ensure compliance inspections to ensure compliance with the law, and to mark clearly
with the law, or the air emission outlets were not marked clearly. all air emission outlets.
Supplier Responsibility 25
2011 Progress Report
63 facilities had not completed or had not received official approval We required facilities to conduct an environmental impact assessment
for an environmental impact assessment. Some of these facilities of their entire facility and file it with the government for approval.
were missing assessments in one or more areas of the Environmental We also required them to establish a process for regular validation
Impact section of our Code, did not update their assessments after a of impact assessments and approvals, and to obtain permits and to
process or equipment change, or did not have permits for X-ray communicate procedures for adhering to the conditions of the permits.
radiation equipment.
Management commitment
Apple’s Code requires facility management to demonstrate commitment to our Code, including assigning a dedicated resource accountable for
compliance; implementing procedures for corrective actions when deficiencies are identified; and establishing training programs for workers
and management.
54 facilities did not have a company statement on social and We required facilities to establish a comprehensive statement on social
environmental responsibility that covered all categories of Apple’s Code. and environmental responsibility and to appoint qualified personnel to
For example, some facilities had a statement for Health and Safety or ensure specified measures are implemented in management systems
Environment, but not for Labor and Human Rights or for Ethics. and daily business operations.
53 facilities did not have dedicated personnel accountable for We required facilities to appoint qualified personnel, ensuring that
compliance with all categories of Apple’s Code, including implementing responsibility and accountability for compliance are included in their
corrective actions when Apple identifies violations to our Code. job descriptions. These job descriptions include ownership of a process
for correcting deficiencies identified by internal and external audits,
written corrective action procedures, and verification of the completion
of appropriate actions.
For More Information Note: In 2010, Apple updated our audit protocols to align with changes in the Supplier Code of Conduct. Historical audit scores
referenced in this report have been recalculated for comparability with 2010 audit results.
For more information about Apple’s
© 2011 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, iPad, iPhone, iPod, Mac, and Time Capsule are trademarks of Apple
Supplier Responsibility Program, visit Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their
www.apple.com/supplierresponsibility. respective companies. February 2011 L423456A